4 killed, 12 injured in Russian drone attack in eastern Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russian forces overnight rained down drones on Kharkiv city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least four people and injuring 12 others, while one of which hit a thermal power plant, causing a power outage in the region, local officials said on Thursday.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in a statement on Telegram that the city, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Russia's border, was attacked by drones that hit a 14-story high-rise building, destroying multiple apartments on several floors.

"In total, we have four dead," Terekhov said, adding that three of them are rescuers from Ukraine's State Emergency Service which were dispatched to provide assistance.

He added that 12 people were injured in various degrees of severity.​​​​​​​

Ukraine’s national energy provider Ukrenergo said in a separate statement that another Russian drone targeted an energy facility in the Kharkiv region, resulting in a power outage in the region.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Telegram that works has begun to restore the Zmiivska Thermal Power Plant to operational status.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that the country's air defense shot down 11 of the 20 drones launched by Russia from the Kursk region toward Kharkiv.

Russian officials have not yet responded to the claim.